Obituaries

Melva Jean (McNatt) Stephenson Whitfield was born Aug. 3, 1945, in Chickasha to Melvin and Wanda (Vance) McNatt. She passed away Jan. 3, 2023, in Yukon at the age of 77.

Melva grew up in Binger and Santa Paula, Calif. She was 15 when they moved back to Binger. Melva married Frank Stephenson on Feb. 9, 1965, in Binger. To this union were born Donnie, Tawnja and Darla.

Frank preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 2000. She later married Brice Whitfield on April 30, 2004, in Wichita Falls, Texas, and they spent 18 happy years together.

Anita (Miller) Lewis was born June 1, 1943, in Grandfield.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduation in 1965, she began a long, successful teaching career in the Oklahoma City and El Reno public school systems. In 1980, she was chosen as the Oklahoma Educator of the Year.

Anita was a member of P.E.O., Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Mother’s Club and the Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program.

Funeral services for Dianne K. Mullins were held Friday, Dec. 30 in the Benson Memorial Chapel. Burial followed at the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home. 

Dianne died Dec. 22, 2022, at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was a former resident of El Reno. 

Services for Nicole Nichelle Maul (Plenty Horses) of Oklahoma City were held Thursday, Dec. 29 at the Emergency Response Center in Kingfisher.

Burial was in the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Nicole died Dec. 19, 2022.

She was born June 10, 1978, in Kingfisher. In her early years she attended school in Kingfisher, Stillwater and El Reno. Nicole was the mother of five children (four sons and one daughter) and one grandson.

Nicole is survived by her two brothers, Thomas Maul II of El Reno and Jason Maul of Yukon.

Dodi Ra Ramey of Moore passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at the age of 59. Dodi was born April 16, 1963, in El Reno to Wayne Yates and Janey (maiden name Erbar) Zullian.

Dodi was always very outdoorsy. She loved picnics and fishing.

Jesus called home his humble servant, Lee Fay Smith of Banner, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022.

Lee was born Feb. 7, 1949, in Oklahoma City to Kenneth and Bessie Smith. He married his wife of 55 years, Linda Kay Smith in Tacoma, Wash., in 1968.

They were blessed with five children, Tammy, 53, Cindy, 52, Mary Martha, 50, Sarah, 49, and Peter, 45, as well as 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Lee owned and operated Lee’s Tree Service for 40 years. His family also owned and operated the Smith Dairy in Banner.

A memorial service for Joseph Conner was held Thursday, Dec. 29 in the Frisco Cemetery with Ron Buxton officiating.

Joe passed away Dec. 24, 2022, at his home in Mustang. He was born June 11, 1946, at the El Reno Sanitarium. He was a lifetime resident of El Reno, graduating from El Reno High School in 1964. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard for six years, earning the rank of staff sergeant.

Joe attended OSU Okmulgee, graduating with a degree in auto/marine upholstery.

He graduated from El Reno Junior College in 1974 with an associate of science degree.

Bert Nelson Rickner passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Oklahoma City. He was born Aug. 23, 1941, in the Concho area north of El Reno to James Gilbert Rickner and Vonda Atkinson Rickner. Vonda married Clyde Thomason in 1954. Grandparents included Sally and Nelson Atkinson and William Bert and Rilla Townsend Rickner, who preceded Bert in death.

Bert was born the second of four sons. The oldest, Ralph, and youngest, Gary and his wife, Nanette are here with us today. Bert was preceded in death by his brother, Glen in 2019.

Graveside services for LaVerne Ruth (Dye) Rukes Crumley were held Wednesday, Dec. 28 at the Geary Cemetery with Brian Rukes of the El Reno 27th Street Church of Christ officiating. Services were under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

LaVerne passed away Dec. 23, 2022, in Kingfisher. She was born Aug. 1, 1931, in El Reno, and graduated from Geary High School in 1949. She later earned a bachelor’s degree from Central State in Edmond.

Garry James Liebl passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 20, 2022, at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

Garry was born July 22, 1943. He grew up in Loyal and graduated from Loyal High School. Following high school, he went to work for Aero Commander alongside his father and brothers. Additionally, he served in the National Guard Reserve for nine years. After some time, he went to work at GE, sharpening his trade skills. Lastly, he took a job at Seagate Technology, where he worked for 33 years, finishing as a production manager.